Wairarapa

Wairarapa is located in the south east of the North Island, an hour away from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Visitors to the Wairarapa are attracted by the small towns with their events programmes, the outdoor activities and the seal colonies on the wild coastline, The many farm stays, bed and breakfasts, country cottages or exclusive lodges are testimony to the level of tourism in the area

The Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre for the captive breeding of threatened species is well worth a visit. Masterton hosts the Golden Shears shearing competition which attracts the best shearers from around the world. It also holds a week-long balloon festival. Carterton is known for its Daffodil Festival and Greytown for its wooden Victorian architecture and antique shops.

Martinborough is famed for its international award-winning Pinot Noir and the Toast Martinborough Wine, Food and Music Festival that takes place in its vineyards in November. The long hot summers and the stony ground are thought to give the special quality to the wine produced in the district.

Many people drive 13km from Lake Ferry on a winding road to visit Cape Palliser to view the century-old lighthouse and the colony of fur seals which is the largest in the North Island. This colony does not migrate so the seals can be viewed at any time of the year.

Outdoor activities include jet boating, hot air ballooning, surfing, white water rafting, hiking in the Tararua Mountains, big game fishing, surf casting, and river fishing.